Combination washer dryer with convertible venting and condensing drying mode

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to a combination washer dryer system (100) with a convertible venting and condensing drying mode which can be switched from a vented drying mode to a condenser drying mode and vice versa facilitated by an electronically controlled switch. The said combination washer dryer system (100) comprises of an electronic control panel (101), a venting unit (102), and a condensing unit (103).

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention relates to a combination washer dryer system with a convertible venting and condensing drying mode. More particularly the present invention relates to a combination washer dryer which can be switched from a vented drying mode to a condenser drying mode and vice versa facilitated by an electronically controlled switch.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Commercially available combination washer dryer systems typically use a single washing drying drum arranged along the horizontal axis such that the apparatus is front loading, and are configured to sequentially wash and dry clothes placed in the drum. The commercially available combination washer dryer systems either utilize vented drying mode or condenser drying mode.

In the vented drying mode, air is drawn from the surrounding area (i.e. the laundry room), then heated and blown through the clothes as the drum tumbles the clothes about. The said hot air evaporates some of the water in the damp fabrics, and the resultant moisture-laden air is then exhausted through a vent duct to the outside surrounding. The vented drying has the advantage of faster and efficient drying cycles.

In the condenser or vent less drying mode humidity is removed from the damp clothes by using two separate air flows. Air is drawn from the surrounding area then heated and blown through the damp clothes where it picks up moisture. Damp air is then passed through the condenser in one direction while the room air is passed through the condenser in the other direction. At the same time, cold water is introduced in the condensing chamber thought the cold water valve which causes the moisture in the Condensing chamber to condense into warm water which is then pumped to the water tank or out through the hose. The condensed water can be either pumped away to a drain line e.g. into a standpipe shared with the clothes washer. The condenser based combined washer dryer has the advantage of lower cost of installation, space saver as no need of dedicated laundry room having special provision of vent/duct.

The commercially available combined washer dryer either utilize vented drying mode or condenser drying mode, both having its own advantages. There is no option of conversion of a combined washer dryer having a vented drying to a condenser drying or vice versa. Customers who wish to switch from vented drying combined washer dryer to a condenser drying combined washer dryer or vice versa need to buy new appliances according to the requirement.

Thus, there is a need for a combined washer dryer system that can be easily switch from a vented drying mode to a condenser drying mode in a press of a button.

PRIOR ARTS

U.S. Pat. No. 5,146,693 discloses a steam condensation device is provided in a dryer or combination washer/dryer for condensing hot water vapor carried by hot air used to dry laundry in the dryer or combination washer/dryer. The steam condensation device includes a vertically extending tubular casing, at least one condenser conduit extending vertically within and spaced from the casing so as to define an annular space therebetween, and a spiral wall disposed between respective internal and external surfaces of the at least one condenser conduit and the casing. The spiral wall extends spirally toward the lower end of the at least one condenser conduit so as to define a spiral conveying path alongside the external surface of the at least one condenser conduit. The condensation device is arranged so that hot air circulating through the interior of the rotating basket containing laundry in the machine passes through the interior of the at least one condenser conduit. Cold water is supplied onto the spiral wall whereas it is conveyed spirally alongside the external surface of the at least one condenser conduit so as to cool the same. Thus, water vapor contained in the hot air passing through the interior of the at least one condenser conduit is cooled and consequently condensed.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,380,423 discloses a combined washer dryer is provided The combined washer dryer comprises an outer drum; a rotatable cylindrical variable size inner drum arranged coaxially within the outer drum and movable from a first position to a second position; a water handling system adapted to intake water into the inner drum and to remove water from the outer drum; an air handling system adapted to intake air into the inner drum and to remove air from the outer drum; and a control system to control the movement of the variable size inner drum.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,520,145 discloses a washing machine combined with a dryer comprising of a tub, a dryer duct installed outside of the said tub. A heater is installed in the dryer duct to apply heat to the surrounding air. A temperature sensor is installed in the dryer duct to measure the temperature inside the tub or the temperature inside the dryer duct, and a dryer fan is installed in the dryer duct to draw in the surrounding air.

The above prior art fails to provide a combined washer dryer system that can be easily switched from a vented drying mode to a condenser drying mode or vice versa

Thus, the present invention introduces a combination washer dryer system that combines the drying mode of both a vented dryer and a condenser dryer with switchable controls that allow converting the combination washer dryer system from vented mode to condenser mode and vice versa.

OBJECTIVES OF THE INVENTION

A primary object of the present invention is to provide a combined washer and dryer capable of converting from a vented drying mode to a condenser drying mode.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a convertible drying from vented to condenser mode in a combination washer dryer with an electronically controlled switch on the control panel, facilitating easy switching between the two modes.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Before the present invention is described, it is to be understood that present invention is not limited to particular methodologies and materials described, as these may vary as per the person skilled in the art. It is also to be understood that the terminology used in the description is for the purpose of describing the particular embodiments only, and is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention.

The present invention describes a combination washer dryer system (100) with convertible venting and condensing drying mode. The adaptable switching between the venting mode and the condensing mode in the said combination washer dryer system (100) is facilitated with an electronically controlled switch.

The said combination washer dryer system (100) comprises of an electronic control panel (101), a venting unit (102), and a condensing unit (103).

The said control panel (101) facilitates the easy switching from the venting mode to the condensing mode or vice versa by press of a button on the said control panel (101).

The said venting unit (102) comprises of a fan motor (1), an impeller (2), a heating element (3), a heater housing (4), a washing drying drum (5), an exhaust vent (6) with a cover (7). The hot air generated by the said heating element (3) is blown into the said drum (5) for dying the damp clothes and the moisture laden hot air is then exhausted from the said exhaust vent (6) located on the back side of the said combination washer dryer system (100).

The condensing unit comprises of a fan motor (1), an impeller (2), a heating element (3), a heater housing (4), a washing drying drum (5), a faucet (8), a cold-water valve (9), a condensing chamber (11), a drain pump (13), a drain hose (14), and a stand pipe (15). The hot air generated is blown into the said drum (5) for dying the damp clothes. The moisture laden hot air is then routed to the said condensing chamber (11), where the moisture laden hot air is condensed into warm water, with the help of cold water, which gets introduced in the condensing chamber through cold water valve. The warm water is then drained out by the said drain pump (13).

The said combination washer dryer system (100) when set on the vented drying mode the said vent exhaust cover (7) is kept open for the moisture laden hot air to dissipate into the surrounding. And when the said combination washer dryer system (100) is set on condenser drying mode the said vent exhaust cover (7) is manually closed with screws and metal plate to prevent the hot air exiting the said drum (5).

These and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein like characters of reference designate corresponding parts throughout the several views.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A complete understanding of the present invention may be by reference to the following detailed description which taken in conjugation with the accompanying drawing. The accompanying drawing, which is incorporated into and constitutes a part of the specification, illustrates one or more embodiments of the present invention and, together with the detailed description, it serves to explain the principles and implementations of the invention.

FIG. 1: illustrates the perspective view of a combination washer dryer system with a vented drying mode;

FIG. 2: illustrates the perspective view of a combination washer dryer system with a condenser drying mode.

FIG. 3: illustrates the perspective view of a combination washer dryer system with convertible vented drying mode and condenser drying mode.

FIG. 4: illustrates the outer front view of the combination washer dryer, showing the display panel on the front side of the machine.

The table attached below defines the labels of each component in the figures in accordance with embodiments of the present invention:

Component Labels Fan motor 1 Impeller 2 Heating element 3 Heater housing 4 Washing drying drum 5 Exhaust vent 6 Exhaust vent cover 7 Faucet 8 Cold water valve 9 Cold water 10 Condensing chamber 11 Water condensate 12 Drain pump 13 Drain hose 14 Stand pipe 15 Flow Valve 16

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Before the present invention is described, it is to be understood that this invention is not limited to particular methodologies described, as these may vary as per the person skilled in the art. It is also to be understood that the terminology used in the description is for the purpose of describing the particular embodiments only, and is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. Throughout this specification, the word “comprise”, or variations such as “comprises” or “comprising”, will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated element, integer or step, or group of elements, integers or steps, but not the exclusion of any other element, integer or step, or group of elements, integers or steps. The use of the expression “at least” or “at least one” suggests the use of one or more elements or ingredients or quantities, as the use may be in the embodiment of the invention to achieve one or more of the desired objects or results.

FIG. 3 of the accompanying drawings illustrates the said combination washer dryer system (100) with convertible venting and condensing drying mode. The said washer dryer system (100) is easily switched from the vented mode to the condenser mode with an electronically controlled switch on the said control panel (101).

As illustrated in FIG. 1 of the accompanying drawings, when the said combination washer dryer system (100) is switched on to the vented drying mode the surrounding air is blown in and heated by the said heating element (3) and introduced into the said washing drying drum (5) where the hot air evaporates some of the water in the damp clothes, and the resultant moisture-laden hot air is then exhausted through the said exhaust vent (6) to the outside surrounding. During the vented drying mode, the condenser is nonfunctional. The said vent exhaust cover (7) is kept open for the moisture laden hot air to dissipate into the surrounding.

As illustrated in FIG. 2 of the accompanying drawings, when the said combination washer dryer system (100) is switched on to the condenser drying mode the said exhaust vent cover (7) provided on the back side of the said combination washer dryer system (100) is manually closed with screws and metal plate During the condenser drying the surrounding air is heated by the said heating element (3) and is introduced into the drying chamber where the hot air evaporates some of the water in the damp clothes, and the resultant moisture-laden hot air is directed towards the said condensing chamber (11). A cold-water inlet valve (9) adapted for operating in the drying cycle draws cold water (10) into the said system (100). The Flow Valve (16) converts cold water to a fine mist in the said condensing chamber (11). The said moisture laden hot air is then passed through the said condensing chamber (11) where it mixes with the fine mist causing the moisture in the air to condense into warm water. The water condensate is then drained by the said drain pump (13) located at the base of the said washer dryer system (100).

It will be obvious to those skilled in the art that many variations may be made in the embodiment herein chosen for the purpose of illustrating the present invention, and for result may be had to the doctrine of equivalence without departing from the scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.

While considerable emphasis has been placed herein on the specific elements of the preferred embodiment, it will be appreciated that many alterations can be made and that many modifications can be made in preferred embodiment without departing from the principles of the invention. These and other changes in the preferred embodiments of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the disclosure herein, whereby it is to be distinctly understood that the foregoing descriptive matter is to be interpreted merely as illustrative of the invention and not as a limitation. 

I claim:
 1. A combination washer dryer system (100) comprising of: i. an electronic control panel (101), ii. a venting unit (102) includes a fan motor (1), an impeller (2), a heating element (3), a heater housing (4), a washing drying drum (5), an exhaust vent (6) with a cover (7), and iii. a condensing unit (103) includes a fan motor (1), an impeller (2), a heating element (3), a heater housing (4), a washing drying drum (5), a faucet (8), a cold-water valve (9), a condensing chamber (11), a drain pump (13), a drain hose (14), a stand pipe (15) and flow valve (16).
 2. The combination washer dryer system (100) of claim 1, wherein the said electronic control panel facilitates easy switching between the vented drying mode and the condensing drying mode and vice versa.
 3. The combination washer dryer system (100) of claim 1, wherein the said exhaust vent cover (7) of the said venting unit (102) is kept open during the vented drying mode.
 4. The combination washer dryer system (100) of claim 1, wherein the said exhaust vent cover (7) of the said venting unit (102) is manually closed with screws and metal plate to prevent the hot air exiting the said drum (5). 